Advertise on podcast: Going Public

In this episode of 'Going Public', we speak with local 'Moms Demand Action' leader, Leslie Washington, about their meeting on Oct. 28, at the Cape Girardeau Public Library, and the Supply Drive for the 'Safe House of Southeast Missouri'.

In this episode of 'Going Public', we speak with Jennifer Long. She co-chairs 'Cape Cares' with Amy Young, which oversees The Cape Warming Center. She talks about the 2026-27 season, announcing the Salvation Army as the new home for the local shelter.

Maurice Theriot, Director of Southside Farms, was one of six recipients of the 2026 'Missouri Spark Prize' from the Missouri Foundation for Health. It recognizes his and his organization's work expanding access to fresh, healthy food in South Cape Girardeau, a federally designated 'food desert '- an area with limited access to affordable, fresh, healthy, and nutritious food.

On this episode of 'Going Public', we speak with Leslie Washington, a Cape Girardeau resident and gun violence prevention advocate, about the concern over high-profile gun violence in the city and calls for action to solve the problem. She previewed her upcoming speech at the Cape Girardeau City Council meeting on Monday, Oct. 5.

In this episode of 'Going Public', we speak with Christine Wielgos, the Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service, in Paducah, Kentucky. The Fall 2026 Severe Weather Awareness Week is September 28 to October 2.

In this episode of 'Going Public', we speak with Maddie Erwin, the SEMO Walk Manager for the Alzheimer's Association in the Southeast Missouri Region. Local events are scheduled for September 26 at Mineral Area College, October 3 at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau, and October 10 at Poplar Bluff High School. The walks are free community celebrations, and participants can register individually or join teams with family, coworkers, or friends.

On this episode of KRCU’s 'Going Public', we speak with Susie Johnson, President of the Ste. Genevieve Chapter of 'Abide in Love'—a group that supports those who are detained and their families— about the work their group does and how ICE presence in the region might be seen after the detentions at the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo.

An innovative online program developed by former Southeast Missouri State University nursing professor, Dr. Linda Heitman, has reached more than 5,000 nursing students nationwide and is continuing to expand. The program educates nurses about Oregon and tissue donation.

In this 'Going Public' interview, we speak with Maddie Erwin, Caregiver Programming Director with the Alzheimer's Association of Southeast Missouri. She shares information about upcoming events for 'Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness' Month, and resources for caregivers and family members who are dealing with Alzheimer's and Dementia.

In this episode of 'Going Public', we speak with Leslie Washington, a local volunteer and advocate for the group 'Moms Demand Action', about the upcoming 'Wear Orange' weekend, June 5th through the 7th, which honors the victims and survivors, and amplifies awareness of America's gun violence crisis.

In the upcoming April 2026 election, Cape Girardeau County voters will consider two propositions to prevent property tax increases on primary residences. 'Proposition A' would exempt senior citizens aged 62 and older from property tax increases unless their homes are renovated or the tax levy increases. 'Proposition B' would cap annual property tax increases at 5% or the inflation rate, whichever is higher. Dr. David Yaskewich, an economics professor, explained that such measures, similar to California's Prop 13, can provide property tax relief but may limit local government revenue and create economic disparities between long-term and new residents.

In 2025, the Southeast Missouri Food Bank faced unique challenges, including tornadoes and a government shutdown affecting SNAP. They distributed over 14 million pounds of food, equating to 12.3 million meals, and served an average of 80,000 individuals monthly. Despite a 30% increase in their food budget for 2026, they received 664,000 fewer pounds from the USDA's TEFAP program. The food bank operates 300 mobile food pantries annually, each serving 200 families, and relies heavily on 4,500 volunteers. They also source produce from local farmers and retail rescue programs. The food bank encourages volunteering, donations, and social media sharing to support their efforts.

Today we're talking with Dr. Doug Koch, Interim Provost at SEMO. Doug shares information about some new programs that are in the works and the proposed 90 day credit hour degree for criminal justice. We started off by talking about SEMO aviation program, including plans for expanding to allow students to learn how to be an air traffic controller.

On this episode of 'Going Public', we speak with Elizabeth Shelton, the Executive Director of the United Way of Southeast Missouri. She talks about the many challenges facing community programs in the region, after a year of funding uncertainties, economic challenges, and natural disasters.

Dan Woods talks with downtown Cape Girardeau developer Brennon Todt and Old Town Cape executive director Liz Haynes about the Broadway Theatre project's next phase.